Samsonite pulls bags from HK amid safety scare

HONG KONG (AP) — Samsonite International SA says it has pulled a line of luggage from Hong Kong stores after a local consumer group reported finding high levels of a chemical linked to cancer in the handles.

The suitcase company said Monday that it commissioned independent tests that showed its bags were safe to use. But it was taking the bags off the shelves to allay customer fears following the report by the Hong Kong Consumer Council.

The council said last week it found that the side handles on three Samsonite suitcases had levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that were higher than recommended.

Levels were particularly high in a suitcase sold under the Tokyo Chic line. Samsonite said it has withdrawn all luggage from that line from Hong Kong shelves.